The Manuel L. Quezon University and The Asia Foundation have entered into a memorandum of agreement that would establish the MLQU Law Clinic, which is envisioned to bridge the needs of people, particularly those belonging to the marginalized sectors, for competent legal assistance.
The MOA is part of TAF’s Legal Aid Project in partnership with the Supreme Court, the Legal Education Board, and the Philippine Association of Law Schools to strengthen the rule of law in the Philippines through strategic reforms that promote efficiency in the administration of justice, build the capacity of members of the criminal justice system, and broaden access to justice.
The Law Clinic will primarily serve consumer complaints along with other marginalized sectors, such as persons deprived of liberties, women and children, and members of the LGBTQ community.
Under the agreement, TAF, through its decades of experience in increasing access to justice, will provide mentoring and training, resources and a referral network with other legal aid clinics and partner organizations.
The MLQU Clinic is also seen to benefit the school’s law students, equipping them with hands-on training through actual legal cases from the grassroot level. In turn, the university will help TAF monitor, assess, and document the progress of the Legal Aid Project through various legal aid clinic activities of MLQU.
The MOA signing, which was held on November 23, 2021, was attended by Sam Chittick, country representative of TAF, and Atty. Chudney Ngo, legal specialist; Atty. Ruel Realin, program officer; and Veronica Cruz, assistant program officer, who are all members of the TAF Legal Aid.
Signing for MLQU was Atty. Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., university president. Dean Ferdinand Negreof the MLQU School of Law also witnessed the event.